Kings-Pistons Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLDPosted Dec 31 2012 4:30PM

After consecutive wins over a pair of first-place teams, the Detroit Pistons are beginning to play with some confidence on their home floor.

The short-handed Sacramento Kings have also turned it around at home, but they've been woeful on the road as they begin a four-game trip.

The Pistons seek their fourth straight victory at The Palace on Tuesday night when they open 2013 against the Kings, one of the NBA's worst teams away from home.

Detroit (11-22) has won four of five after beating Southeast Division leader Miami and then-Central leader Milwaukee in back-to-back home games.

"We've just got keep taking advantage of these games at home while we have this streak," forward Tayshaun Prince told the league's official website.

Seemingly forgotten until recently, forward Charlie Villanueva has played a key role in the past four contests, averaging 15.5 points and shooting 55.8 percent from the field. He averaged 6.8 points in his first 19 games.

Center Greg Monroe could also be factor against the Kings, having averaged 26.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the last two meetings. Monroe posted his first career triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists in a 105-103 loss at Sacramento on Nov. 7.

With guard Rodney Stuckey questionable because of a left ankle sprain, Will Bynum looks to continue his recent surge. He's scored 21.3 points and shot 52.9 percent - going 7 of 11 from 3-point range - in his last three contests.

The Pistons have made 46.7 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 104.0 points in their last five.

Detroit should have a good chance to keep rolling against a Sacramento team that has allowed 106.2 points per contest during its six-game road losing streak. The Kings (11-19) have won four straight at home, but their 1-12 road record is worst in the conference.

With Sacramento's backcourt banged up, Isaiah Thomas made the most of his second straight start Sunday with a season-high 27 points in a 118-96 win over Boston.

"What he's been able to do is kind of give us a little injection of the steam that we need," coach Keith Smart said. "He's done that, plus he's making his shots."

Thomas is expected to get another start Tuesday with guards Aaron Brooks and Tyreke Evans sidelined due to injury. The Kings could also be without guard Marcus Thornton after he suffered a sprained left ankle Sunday.

DeMarcus Cousins will try to build off his 12-point, 10-assist, 10-rebound effort in Sunday's 118-96 victory over Boston. Cousins had 21 points and 11 rebounds to help Sacramento snap a five-game losing streak to the Pistons in November.

Sacramento has recorded at least 28 assists in four straight games, its best such streak of the season.

Detroit, though, has been tough defensively on its home floor, allowing 87.4 points in its last five games.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Pistons hold off Kings 103-97 for 3rd straight win

By NOAH TRISTERPosted Jan 01 2013 11:22PM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Austin Daye had only one thought when he caught a pass on the right wing on the game's crucial possession.

"Don't pass it. Shoot it," he said.

Not that he had much choice.

With the shot clock running down, Daye made a 3-pointer with 11.5 seconds left, helping the Detroit Pistons seal a 103-97 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Daye's shot - after a pressured Tayshaun Prince found him with a pass - gave the Pistons a six-point lead.

"When I get the ball with time left on the clock, I'm trying to get off a good shot," Daye said. "Tayshaun found me in a good spot and I let it go."

Greg Monroe had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won three in a row for the first time this season. Sacramento cut a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to one, but Detroit was able to hold on.

The Pistons have won five of six, in large part because of terrific play from their reserves. The group scored 44 points Tuesday despite losing Charlie Villanueva to a second-quarter ejection.

DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Kings.

The Pistons led 89-73 before Sacramento's late rally. The Kings had a chance to take the lead with Detroit in front 96-95, but the Pistons forced a shot clock violation when Prince blocked a shot.

Monroe made one of two free throws with 1:26 remaining, and Aaron Brooks turned the ball over at the other end. After Brandon Knight made a free throw, Jimmer Fredette's driving attempt was short. Detroit's Will Bynum made it a five-point game with two free throws.

The Kings would have had one more chance to tie, but just when it looked as if they were going to get a crucial defensive stop, Daye connected for his second 3-pointer of the game.

Fredette scored 13 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter for Sacramento.

"We came back, played hard getting back into the game, and Austin Daye made a huge shot at the end against good defense," Fredette said. "Ultimately came short, so it hurts, but we'll move on to tomorrow."

Knight finished with 20 points despite briefly hurting his right ankle in the second half. Bynum and Daye, two backups, had 15 and 13 points, respectively.

"Everybody chipping in and there is a lot of balance," Knight said. "I have to congratulate my teammates for the way we've been playing together and how guys have been stepping it up and really doing their part."

Villanueva scored nine points before being thrown out for a flagrant foul late in the second quarter. Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas drove the lane and was knocked hard to the floor by Villanueva. Thomas then got up and appeared to swing his right arm quickly at Villanueva. Officials reviewed the play and ejected Villanueva. Thomas was not penalized.

Detroit led by as many as 15 in the second, and it was 58-48 at halftime.

"We were a little slow," Sacramento coach Keith Smart said. "We have been playing at a nice fast pace and we were a little heavy legged but sometimes that happens when you get out here on the first one of a road trip."

NOTES: Official Leroy Richardson appeared to trip along the sideline opposite the scorer's table in the third quarter. After staying down for a while with what looked like a right leg injury, he was able to continue. ... Cousins and Monroe were taken with the fifth and seventh picks of the 2010 draft.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Pistons 103, Kings 97

THE FACTS: Greg Monroe had 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons secured their first three-game winning streak this season with a 103-97 victory over the Sacramento Kings at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Tuesday night. Brandon Knight had a team-high 20 points for the Pistons and Austin Daye added 13, including a game-clinching 3-pointer. DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings, who are 1-13 on the road, with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva was ejected for knocking Kings guard Isaiah Thomas to the floor with four seconds remaining in the first half. Thomas, who was struck in the head while driving to the basket, jumped up and attempted to go after Villanueva but was not penalized. The officials determined Villanueva, who was not initially called for a foul on the play, committed a Flagrant Two infraction after reviewing the replay.

QUOTABLE: "I was going to be prepared for whatever happened, no matter if I was not going to play the whole year or if I was not going to be here. I was going to stay prepared for whatever situation came up. Luckily, the situation is where I can get on the floor with my guys and be able to produce."

-- Daye on his strong recent outings after being benched for 21 games

THE STAT: 52.4. The Pistons aren't known for being a high-scoring team but they've been shooting the ball with great efficiency during the three-game winning streak, making 52.4 percent of their field-goal attempts. They shot 52 percent on Tuesday while reaching the 100-point mark for the fourth time in six games.

TURNING POINT: Detroit led most of the way, thanks to a 23-7 run to start the second quarter. Its bench, which has been very productive lately, scored all but two of those points. Rookie Andre Drummond finished it off with a steal and dunk for a 50-35 lead. The Pistons were up double digits until Sacramento's rally in the final eight minutes.

QUOTABLE II: "He's been getting better every game. He's one of the most important parts for us right now. He gets a lot of second shots, a lot of easy baskets, and his energy and his impact on defense has helped us out a whole lot."

-- Monroe on Drummond, who had seven points and 11 rebounds

HOT: Daye was buried in a deep shooting slump all last season, making just 32 percent of his field-goal tries and 21 percent of his 3-point attempts. He's looked like a different player this season since being inserted into the rotation ahead of veteran Corey Maggette. He's shooting 45.5 percent from the field and a whopping 65 percent on threes. His 13 points Tuesday were a season high.

NOT: The Kings played without shooting guard Marcus Thornton, who sprained his left ankle against Boston on Sunday. Replacement Francisco Garcia delivered no punch in his absence, scoring five points on five shot attempts in 24 minutes.

ROOKIE WATCH: Detroit shooting guard Kyle Singler was limited to four points and four rebounds in 33 minutes. Kings forward Thomas Robinson played just three minutes and had two points.

NOTABLE: Sacramento swingman Tyreke Evans missed his 13th game this season with a sore left knee. The Kings are 6-7 without him.... The Kings began a stretch of four road games in five nights. ... Pistons sixth man Rodney Stuckey missed his third straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... Cousins was the fifth player taken in the 2010 NBA draft and Monroe was chosen two picks later. In their previous five head-to-head matchups, Cousins averaged 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds and Monroe averaged 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. "Guys get up for every game but when it's in your same draft class, there may be a little extra flavor involved," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. ... Detroit had won eight of the last 10 meetings but lost 105-103 at Sacramento on Nov. 7. ... Will Bynum added 15 points for Detroit, which overcame 19 turnovers.